Heaven And Hell novel Chapter 47

"The powder room," I said shortly.

Just as I was about to leave, Natalie held my wrist gently.

"Are you all right, Keller?"

I nodded, my throat getting dry. She was good at acting. She was also good at making me feel miserable and confused.

I went away after that, not checking what Anthony's expression was towards me. I didn't want him to look at me with seemingly kind eyes. I also didn't want to see what Michael's expression would be like, if I stared at him. I was sure Lady Rigby was getting pretty much a hold on him, making him trapped.

I didn't really go to the bathroom, as I'd said. Instead, I went into the maze, practically having no clue where the hell to go but I went wherever my legs wanted me to. I mean, I didn't want to go back in that stupid tent where you had no privacy.

I sighed, finally stopping after taking ten turns in different directions, sitting down on a stone bench.

I never thought I'd care so much about what Natalie had told me. I didn't like the girl, that was no surprise, but I believed her about being cautious and not letting Michael get bored so he wouldn't leave me.

He couldn't leave me, right?

He made a deal with me.

And...and he liked me as much as I liked him. I'd help him show his father that he was not on the verge of disinheritance by finding me in his life, while he'd help me secure my family's crumbled finances and support us.

I already did my part.

I showed the people back in that crummy tent that we were clearly in love. I knew he was doing his part of the deal, but now I wasn't so sure anymore.

Just as I was going all emotional here, I heard someone.

"Keller!"

I turned around, looking for the owner of the voice, then I felt a tiny spark of happiness and hope when I saw that it was Michael, looking very concerned. He walked towards me, tilting his head slightly to the side as if it would give him more answers about my sudden weird mood.

"What's wrong?" he asked as he reached me, breathing a little heavily. I bet it was hard finding me.

I ignored his question. "How'd you find me so fast?"

He sat down beside me, linked, but recovered quickly while masking his surprise. "I just sniffed your scent. I'm part wolf."

I snorted. "Who are you, Jacob Black or something?"

He grinned mischeviously. "I'm better than Jacob. Apparently, I'm more dashing too."

I slapped his arm, unable to mask the smile playing at my lips. "Maybe."

To be honest, in my own opinion, I did think he was way dashing than Jacob or the guy playing his role, Taylor Lautner. Or any guy. Not that I'd admit that, though.

"Are you saying that I'm really better-looking?"

"I didn't say that," I clarified. "I said maybe."

"That's almost saying I really am better-looking."

I shrugged. "Whatever you say."

"Okay, okay, okay," he said, closing his eyes and furrowing his brows, making flappy hand movements as if he were in mere confusion right now. "Let me get this straight: you said maybe."

"Is there," he began more seriously, "by any chance, that you not only think that of me but also that you like me?"

The mumbling stopped, and I bit my lip. We both waited for a lifetime of silence.

I gave a deep breath and stared at him with all the honesty I could muster. "Yes."

I didn't expect this, but Michael actually kissed me on the lips and grinned afterwards. The light in his eyes shone brightly. Despite my feelings before, I smiled along and slowly reached out and wrapped my arms around him. I laughed as he kissed my temple.

Natalie may have had the satisfaction seeing me getting hurt but now I didn't want to give Michael up. I knew she still wanted him for herself -- to be with him again; that was why she'd begun saying those things to me.

Well if she wanted Michael then she'd have to give one hell of a fight before she could have him.

And so that day, in the maze, Michael and I laughed and, as usual, teased one another.I didn't answer his question before I changed the topic. He suddenly remembered.

"Before..." he began. "Why weren't you all right?"

I couldn't look at him. I knew the tears would come because everything was still so fresh to me. I bit my lip instead and sighed. "I met Natalie Wattson."

"Bloody hell," he muttered savagely.

I stared at him. "What?"

Michael leaned on the vine-covered wall and tilted his head to the side to look at me. He reached a hand out and encricled his fingers through mine, saying, "Whatever she told you, whatever at all, it's all in the past."

"So they were true, then?" I felt something constricting violently in the pit of my stomach.